Exercising device



1953 ca. c. JOHNSON 2,648,332

EXERCISING DEVICE Filed Oct. 18. 1949 INVEN TOR. 660265 c. JOf/A/SO/V,

Patented Aug. 11, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXERGISING DEVICE George C. Johnson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 18, 1949, Serial No. 121,918

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a mechanical exercising device, and more particularly to a novel head or plate for an electrically-operated, mechanical exercising device.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel head or plate for an exercising device of the kind to be more particularly described hereinafter operative for engagement with a selected portion of the epidermis of the human anatomy for stimulatingthe flow of blood through the veins and arteries in the immediately-adjacent area. The stimulation of the blood flow is active for revitalizing and increasing the well-being of the muscles, veins, nerves, glands, etc., which, under normal physical conditions, requires an extended period of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a head or plate of this kind for a mechanical exercising device formed with spaced mounds, which, in engagement with the the flesh of a patient, effect a scraping or sliding relative movement between the walls of the veins and arteries and muscle tissues for breaking up the depositions in the body. The frictional forces thus set up within the body also are active for breaking up adhesions of muscles for removing corns, bunions, etc.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

'In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of an exercising device having a hand or plate constructed according to an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the head removed from its assembly on the exercising machine.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates generally an exercising or massaging device having a head or plate H constructed according to an embodiment of this invention. The exercising machine I0 is of the type which is actuated by an electric motor I2 mounted on a base M which, in turn, may be engaged on, or supported by, a suitable fixed support, not shown in the drawings.

The electric motor I2 is provided with a rotatable shaft I5 having an offset or eccentric crank pin [6 on one outer end thereof. The speed rotation of the shaft [5 may be selectively controlled by any conventional speed-control means generally applicable for varying the speed of rotation of an electric motor shaft.

The vibrating plate ll, formed in the manner which I have found to be most proficient and satisfactory for use in the treatment of many diseases caused by restricted blood passages and faulty circulation and nervous tensions and pains in the body, is adapted to be rockably connected to the drive shaft 15 by connection to the crank pin I6.

A supporting brace member I! is formed or provided with a bearing or journal l8 intermediate the length thereof for engagement with the crank pin [6. A bushing I9 is secured in the journal 18 for receiving the pin l6 and the crank pin may be retained Within the journal by any suitable connecting means, not shown in the drawings, to provide for the rotation of the crank pin therein, While restraining the journal [8 from sliding off from one end of the pin. The supporting member 17 is provided with a pair of oppositely-extending side arms 20 and 2| which extend equal distances outwardly from opposite sides of the journal l8. In plan view, the brace or supporting member I! is triangular in configuration, having the journal [8 cast, or otherwise formed, on the apex thereof. The axis of the bushing I9 is disposed along a transverse line bisecting the angle at the apex and intersecting the opposite or rear side edge midway along the length thereof. The outer ends of the supporting member H are formed with upwardly-opening bores or passages 21 for receiving bolts or studs 22 securing the plate ll thereabove. A depending pedestal or pivot member 24 is formed on the lower side of the supporting member I! and engages the upper surface of the underlying flat base Hi constituting a fulcrum for the movement of the supporting member I! and plate ll mounted thereon. The most desirable position of the fulcrum pedestal, or pivot center member, 24 is two-thirds of the distance between the apex 25 of the triangular connecting member I! and the opposite side 26. This will position the pivot member one-third of the distance from the rear edge of the plate H to the front edge thereof along the transverse median.

The plate II is formed of a casting substantially elliptical in configuration having rectangular arms 21 at the opposite ends thereof. A pedestal 28 is formed on the lower side of each arm 2'! and is formed with a downwardly-opening threaded bore 29 on the lower end for receiving the bolt 22 for attaching the plate I I to the supporting member IT.

A transverse mound 30 is formed across the center portion of the supporting member I! midway along the length thereof. Smaller mounds 3| are formed on the extreme ends of the plate I I transversely thereof and intermediate mounds 32 are formed inwardly of the outer mounds 3I adjacent thereto.

In the use and operation of the massaging or exercising device Ill described above, the motor I2 is initially set in operation at a selected or desired speed. The rotation of the motor shaft I5 will effect the desired rocking and pivotal movement of the supporting member I! and plate II.

As the center mound 30 is moved sideways, or longitudinally of the position of the plate II, the two-thirds forward portion of the plate II is rocked transversel of the center pivot member 24 and the one-third rear portion is rocked in the opposite direction. This movement is reversed upon completion of the cycle of rotation of the crank pin I6 and the effect of this movement, when the plate II is engaged on the skin of a person is to move the walls of the blood veins in opposite directions, thus increasing the flow of blood therethrough.

the mound on the center section, mounds formed on the plate intermediate the parallel mounds" on the flanges and the center mounds, said last named mounds lying in divergent relation and defining ends for the center section, and means integrally formed on the flanges for attachment to a support means.

I GEORGE C. JOHNSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 478,166 Madsen July 5, 1892 1,368,782 Beach Feb. 15, 1921 1,497,243 Martin June 10, 1924 1,711,846 Heilborn May 7, 1929 1,970,233 Hertzberg Aug. 14, 1934 2,265,729 Hall Dec. 9, 1941 

